Chapter 356: Chapter 206: Calling a Stag a Horse
It was not troublesome to announce this matter, especially since the three Great Zen Masters had ordered the monks below to handle it after sending Chen Kuang to the Zen Room, and the process had already been completed.
Today was merely a ceremonial procedure in name, announcing the decision of the Great Zen Masters.
Chen Kuang was led by Xiuzhu to the square in front of the Grand Hall of Jie Lan Temple.
The Grand Hall is the main temple housing the Statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, covering an area of a thousand acres, with a Buddha statue so large it is almost terrifying, hard to fully view by simply looking up.
The massive Buddha statue, even with its gentle lowered gaze, exudes a formidable oppressive presence, making one’s heart race and instilling a sense of fear, reluctant to gaze upon it directly.
Anything presided over in the Grand Hall must be of great importance to the entire Pure Land; since the establishment of Jie Lan Temple, it has been less than a handful.
However, since this is the reincarnation of Buddha’s Son returning, it must be witnessed by Buddha, hence the location has been set at the square in front of the hall, to show importance and respect.
At present, nearly a thousand monks had gathered on the square.
Among them were not only Zhengzhu Disciples from Jie Lan Temple but also disciples from other temples who had come to observe the ceremony.
While Pure Land regards Jie Lan Temple with high esteem, disciples from other temples are by no means weak; those qualified to attend as observers are undoubtedly the elite.
They had received notice yesterday and immediately hurried to Jie Lan Temple to witness the return of the third Buddha’s Son of this generation, daring not to be negligent.
After all, this is a major event for the entire Pure Land.
They also wished to see what kind of person would come from the reincarnation of Lion Heart, the Buddha’s Son who was once hailed as most likely to achieve the Saint Fruit Position.
With eyes examining or curious, ultimately they fell upon the moon-white robes following Xiuzhu.
Then, seeing the black hair, they all turned into uncertain and suspicious expressions.
Chen Kuang squinted, glancing over the crowd of bald heads meditating before him, pondering whether those three demons would emerge from the Zen Room.
From Xiuzhu’s words, despite occupying the bodies of the three Great Zen Masters, there should also be significant side effects.
Their Divine Sense cannot leave the Zen Room’s range, with merely maintaining their physical appearance being their utmost limit.
In truth, Chen Kuang even somewhat suspected...seeing the true form of the three demons that day might not have been due to his passive "perception."
Instead, it might have been them deliberately revealing themselves to test Chen Kuang’s reaction.
If Chen Kuang showed great shock, he might never leave that Zen Room.
If these three demons don’t emerge even in such circumstances, it indicates their condition is worse than imagined, prompting a change in Chen Kuang’s strategy.
Unfortunately, the three revered Great Zen Masters ultimately walked out slowly, supported by three young monks.
"Plop! Plop!"
At the forefront, Master Buwen’s side of the head continued to drip viscous black blood from the rotten, hollow cavities, with many indeterminable objects wriggling within.
Countless small, pale arms seemed to have grown more numerous from Bujian’s eye sockets.
Meanwhile, Buyan, lacking a mouth, appeared far more normal...yet the always gentle and smiling eyes seemed abyssal and unfathomable.
Thus, under the gaze of thousands, the three walked step by step to the forefront of the hall.
Chen Kuang tried to avoid looking at the filthy blood on the ground, yet the scene before him was truly to the point of straining reason.
Sunlight bathes the square, a congregation of monks with devout expressions gathered under the shining golden statue of Fen Buddha Ancestor, incense smoke rising sacredly, and yet the leading three were of such horrifying appearances neither human nor ghost.
Chen Kuang took a deep breath and approached the three Great Zen Masters.
Then Master Buwen spoke with a sigh:
"Forty years ago, the Buddha’s Son Lion Heart, who was most hopeful of achieving the fourth Saint Fruit Position, went out to train and vanished, a regret for the entire Pure Land."
"Over these forty years, I have never ceased sending people to retrieve the Lion Heart’s relic, yet always without results."
"But fortunately, Lion Heart’s deep affinity with Buddha has him returning to Pure Land, a blessing for our Buddhist Sect."
Buwen walked to Chen Kuang’s side, patting his shoulder.
"Plop!"
A pool of pus and blood dripped at Chen Kuang’s feet, countless maggots rolling within as if boiling.
Chen Kuang maintained a slight smile and said, "Zen Master praises me, obtaining the wisdom of Lion Heart is my honor."
Buwen chuckled:
"Your modesty is wisdom in itself."
"Since you haven’t shaved, nor have a Dharma name, using the lay name is inappropriate within Pure Land; temporarily inheriting the Dharma name ’Lion Heart’ and taking another when you shave, how about it?"
What could Chen Kuang say? He could only clasp his hands together:
"Thank you, Zen Master."
Buwen nodded satisfactorily, addressing the thousands of monks:
"Today, Pure Land Buddha’s Son returns anew, Buddha is joyful, disciples from each temple suspend their studies for seven days to celebrate, within Pure Land, vegetarian banquets must not cease, venerating the Buddha’s Son for all, whether monk or layman."
The monks below froze at these words.
Because traditionally, the return of Buddha’s Son would not be so extravagant, at most Jie Lan Temple would hold a one-day banquet to celebrate.
And now, Buwen’s intention seemed to have the entire Pure Land hold banquets for a full seven days!
Seven days where daily scripture studies would halt...it’s simply unheard of, akin to indulgence!
Pure Land always took pride in its austerity, and now suddenly halting studies for seven whole days, it sparked a commotion, several host Elders from other temples changed expressions, furrowed brows, unable to understand.
Chen Kuang was unsurprised, only comprehending, his suspicion was indeed correct.
A mighty dam crumbling from an ant’s hole...these three demons aimed to leverage him as an opening, gradually overturning all of Pure Land.
Once more would lead to twice, today recalling a Buddha’s Son warrants a seven-day banquet, next time it could become a month.
Rules seemingly unbreakable can subtly change over time.
Those monks naturally knew this was highly inappropriate.
Especially as the Buddha’s Son returning was not even a proper monk!
In the past, Xiuzhu’s relic with an unclear origin took three months of deliberation within Pure Land to settle, yet Chen Kuang’s identity hadn’t undergone verification and now boldly warranted a seven-day celebration.
By logic and emotion, it doesn’t abide!
Moreover, Pure Land is not isolated from information, by now several had recognized Chen Kuang’s identity and learned of his past, immediately realizing the great issues surrounding this person.
Yet when the Great Zen Masters publicly declared such a request, how could these temple host Elders dare to publicly challenge?
Thus, naturally, their gaze shifted to one person at the forefront.
The other Buddha’s Son present among them—Xiuxin!
With Xiuzhu being young, only this Buddha’s Son could naturally persuade the Great Zen Masters.
Chen Kuang also noticed their gaze, turning to the genuine Buddha’s Son.
This Xiuxin Buddha’s Son was not particularly prominent in appearance, with gentle contours and a compassionate visage, the same moon-white kasaya worn with a sense of ethical righteousness, eyes clear, a glow emanating indicative of a high monk’s virtue.
Xiuxin lived up to expectations, indeed stepping forward, with eyes intently fixed on Chen Kuang, warmly speaking:
"Zen Master Buwen, hold a moment, Xiuxin has a question and seeks the Great Zen Master’s answer."
"Unshaved, with six impure senses, laden with karmic barriers, how can one be worthy of the Pure Land Buddha’s Son? If monks are to celebrate a person laden with murder karma, how can it be convincing?"
